Archive By Author - Haley Atkinson

Earlier this summer, I made the wise decision to see the Baz Luhrmann version of The Great Gatsby. I have to say I was an immediate fan of the film, not surprising as I love the book and Leonardo DiCaprio and modern remakes of classic works in general. I have read Gatsby close to 30 times by now, I'm sure, and the final words of the book have a way of replaying over and over again in my mind for days on end, as incessantly as if they were part of some Taylor Swift song -- "So we beat on ...

To say that long-time Kershaw County Humane Society president Judy Thiel was an advocate for the proper treatment and care of animals in Kershaw County is a grave understatement. "What Judy did extended much further than Kershaw," said Thiel's long-time coworker and friend, Sharon Jones. Jones, who is the director of the Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter, spoke about Thiel's dedication and activism for all aspects of nature. "She loved wildlife. She loved whales and monkeys, all animals. She put land into a conservation foundation -- she protected trees just as much as she protected puppies and kittens."

Home improvement is something I would never describe myself as being "good" at. Some people have a natural ability for transforming a room or even an entire dwelling from something worn and dull into something bright and beautiful. I admire those types of people. I even envy them to an extent because I've never been of that sensibility; I've never had the eye or hand for interior design.